Lake tahoe or laguna beach?

Question

okay so i am just graduating from grad school and i kind of have like two questions. 1. i have job offers in both lake tahoe and laguna beach. both make the same, have the same benefits etc. it basically just comes down to where i would rather live. on one hand i would love the sunny beaches and palm trees of laguna beach and having close neighbors. on the other i would miss not having snow for christmas and laguna has kind of a dry landscape desert look. for lake tahoe i would miss being close to neighbors because is seems like all the houses there are like an acre apart so we wouldnt have the neighbor-y BBQ. and i would love to have a pool but in lake tahoe is that kind of pointless? basically for my first question just give me your opinion on both places and which you think i should choose. 2. if i did choose lake tahoe is it better to live on the nevada half or the california half? which has higher taxes/living costs? besides that which is just the better side to live on?

Answer 1

i'd suggest to live in laguna beach.  so much to do. so many places to go.  

we go to lake tahoe twice a year, two weeks at a time.  we own a property there.  we love the nature and outdoor life but we are usually done with all those after one week.    we can't wait to fly back home all the time.   We live in southern California.  

trust me, you won't be dissappointed in Laguna beach. it's beautiful.  

Answer 2

Here's how I would go about this.  First of all, I think the main question is what kind of lifestyle am I looking for - city or country?  I'd compare Laguna Beach to city and Tahoe to Country.  The weather is much more temparate in Laguna than at Tahoe - if it's snow you really want, you can always drive to Mammoth from Laguna.  Don't forget - if you live in the snow, that means you'll be shovelling the snow.  It can snow 10 feet at a time in Tahoe.  More often it's about a foot, depending on where you live, but you have to love the snow.  Aside from the ski areas, Tahoe gets pretty deserted in the winter, so it can definately get lonely.  The summer is amazing in Tahoe - great activities and great weather, but being a more "vacation" destination, the roads can get pretty jammed on weekends.  Don't get me wrong - I love Tahoe and have thought about what it would be like to move there, but the reality is a little different.  Not sure if this is important to you, but there's a 5 - 1 ratio of guys to girls in Tahoe.  If you're a single girl, you'll have pretty of "friends".

As far as Nevada or California, depends on where your job is.  If your job is in Nevada, then definately live in Nevada - there's no state income tax there.  But if your job is in California, I'd live in California - there's more going on there.

Answer 3

First of all, there are very few crimes in Tahoe. Especially if your trying to compare an area like Laguna. I have lived in Lake Tahoe for 11 years.  Cabin murders in the woods?.. Like in the movies?.. That ridiculous! But based on what you're saying I have a feeling you have already made your choice and you should stick to it. Move to Laguna. You'll love it. Living in Tahoe is alot of work and you have to WANT to do it. It's more than just watching the snow fall during Christmas. It's a lifestyle. Camping, hiking, biking,all of that is a small reason why the locals love it here.  

Answer 4

Laguna Beach would be your choice if you don't mind expensive housing.

Lake Tahoe would be your choice for "average" housing.

I would go for Laguna Beach if you can afford it.